It’s something to start a tournament as the favourites, and something else to live up to that billing. In the Chess Olympiad being played in Budapest, the Indian teams have shown the tenacity and spark and played as true heavyweights. They are the sole leaders in the open and women’s sections after seven rounds, with four more rounds to play.
As is well known, the pressure rises when the going gets tougher. The Indian teams were pitted against strong opponents in the seventh round — China in the open section and Georgia in the women’s. Both teams have a far better record than India in the history of the Chess Olympiad. India, after all, have won bronze in 2014 and 2022 in open, and the women’s bronze in 2022.
However, the tables have turned quickly. This time, the team in the open segment is seeded second, while the women are the top seeds. And they are performing accordingly. In both divisions, they have won all seven rounds. India are the only side to have done this in the 45th edition of the event.
Significantly, they have found their players for the moment. In the seventh round against China, ‘hitman’ Arjun Erigaisi settled for a quick draw. He had won the six previous games. R Praggnanandhaa and P Harikrishna too played out draws. Up stepped D Gukesh and delivered a massive win in a game that lasted six hours.
Yi Wei is a formidable player. In the Fide rating list of September, he is the World No. 8 and Gukesh World No 7. Just two points separate the two. Their battle was an even one. But the Indian had to win with white for his team to retain the lead. It was a gruelling contest where Gukesh converted his slight advantage into a win. It was pure perseverance and excellence in the end game.
Despite having scored 4.5 out of five in the five games he had played before the seventh round, Gukesh was overshadowed by Arjun, who had six out of six. When the time came, the world championship challenger delivered. It was a big win for the team and it might have a significant impact on the tournament as well.
This team’s ability to find the right person for the appropriate moment was visible in the women’s section as well. Vantika Agarwal is not the strongest player in the contingent. Divya Deshmukh was hogging the limelight until the Georgia game, with R Vaishali also scoring crucial points. Vantika, actually, was only one of the Indian quartet rated below 2400.
Facing Bella Khotenashvili, who has a rating of 2432, the Indian with a rating of 2370 gave a standout performance and won with black pieces. D Harika and Divya had drawn their games and Vaishali’s game was still going on before she also posted a win. Vantika’s triumph gave India the winning impetus and allowed Vaishali to play freely. That’s how it works in team events in chess.
It’s going to get tougher here on. In the open section, India will face Iran, who are just a point behind them with 13. The women’s will face Poland who have 12. India are in the lead with 14 in the two segments. Iran and Poland are second. It will be difficult, but going by what has been seen so far, the Indians have it in them to give a good account of themselves.
Also Read: Other teams are afraid of us: Dibyendu Barua on India at Chess Olympiad